A question about for-sale item's asking price, plus "or best offer"

[Don Jackson]

A question about a for-sale item's asking price: fixed price only, or asking price plus "or best offer" allowed?

According to the seller's FAQ:

SECTION 3 - Rules for Sellers / Traders / Service Providers (hereafter referred to as "Sellers"):
1.Rules for everyone:
9.All items offered for sale must be priced.

Does this mean only one fixed asking price may be advertised, i.e. "$200 plus shipping"?

Or.... may a for-sale listing be priced as follows: "$200 OBO" (or best offer)

Based upon review of numerous for-sale threads, both active and completed, this pricing rule is unclear. Replies often appear to harshly discriminate against any for-sale offers remotely similar to an auction listing (best offers considered, etc). Many thanks for any information, or link to a specific site rule concerning the traditional "OBO" price option.

 

[Bastid]

A fixed price and OBO is fine.

 

[Don Jackson]

A fixed price and OBO is fine.

Thanks... and this certainly makes sense.

I wrote because I was surprised to find several threads in the archives where sellers found themselves the subject of criticism for daring to offer price flexibility in their listings. The more I read about the unusual "buying and selling conventions" in these forums, the more these "norms" appear to be constructed to facilitate bargain-hunter's quickly buying below market value, and later, patiently flipping for a profit, either on this forum, or on competing forums such as eBay and Gunbroker.

Not that there's anything wrong with that concept... I'm in favor of business for profit!

But, sellers should not be impeded in allowing the market to quickly determine the highest value of an item, by attracting and selling directly to the end-customer... not just to a middleman at a discount. For example, being barred for two weeks from re-listing an item, which might have been over-priced on the first attempt, serves only to artificially extend the time required to eventually arrive at the fair market value. To avoid losing a month's time if the adjusted asking price is again too high, the seller may feel pressured to offer too much of a price reduction.

In fairness, this forum rule may have been designed to reduce clutter and repetitive listings, but in use, it may serve primarily to facilitate faster sales below true market values, and to inhibit slower sales at true market values. Otherwise, why would a "punishment" in the form of a mandatory re-listing delay be imposed for unsold items? This time pressure appears to solely benefit the eventual buyer.

If I've mis-read this re-listing delay rule, my apologies; please provide a link to the correct information, and my thanks for your help.

All opinions are welcome - thanks for your interest, and your knowledge on this subject.

 

[darkaether]

you can adjust pricing in your thread all you want. you just can't create a new thread with the same items for 14 days.

If you are listing new items, you can consolidate your old items into the new thread created for new items.

 

[Don Jackson]

you can adjust pricing in your thread all you want. you just can't create a new thread with the same items for 14 days.

If you are listing new items, you can consolidate your old items into the new thread created for new items.

Thanks for this clarification. Although this may be a dumb question: is adjusting your asking price in your thread accomplished by editing and re-titling the thread.... or, does the seller simply reply to his own thread with the reply title "price reduced"?

The latter method seems faster and easier... but, it may be frowned upon as "bumping" an ageing thread back to the top of the reply date list. Again, an unwritten rule which seems to be the focus of controversy.

As a newer member and a prospective seller, I am seeing a lot of potential pitfalls and unclear rules and regulations in this forum. I appreciate all assistance in getting to the bottom of the basic requirments and restrictions, so that my future for sale listings are not rejected due to non-conformance with listing norms, and the "unwritten rules".... which are well-understood by veteran sellers, but not by the new arrivals! Any additional comments and suggestions are most welcome - thanks to all for your guidance!

 

[darkaether]

it is easier on the buyers if you edit the original post, then just bump with a "price reductions" post, instead of making them scroll all around trying to figure out what's left and how much.

 

[darkaether]

it actually wont bump in the exchange subforums, but it will bump it up your subscribed threads. There used to be a 72 hour bump rule, but they don't move up anymore so now the focus is on the relist

 

[Don Jackson]

it is easier on the buyers if you edit the original post, then just bump with a "price reductions" post, instead of making them scroll all around trying to figure out what's left and how much.

Thanks very much for this information!

One last question, about recommended methods for selling multiple mixed items:

If I have 12 NIB Benchmade autos for sale... all differing models, values and prices... what would be the best way to list them:

1) 12 independent "for sale" listings, each covering only one item, nice detailed macro photos, specific item description, and asking price +OBO

2) One combination "for sale" listing, with a group shot of all twelve knives, general info, and a column of individual asking prices + OBO for the separate items

I see both approaches used in varying degrees and combinations, and with varying results. But, it isn't clear if there is some limitation on how many "live" for-sale listings a given member may publish at the same time.

My first inclination is that a dedicated single item listing is more informative and useful for a buyer's consideration, while the "group shots" seem less able to accurately convey any one item's condition, patina, etc... but may be more attractive in getting a buyer's attention.

If either listing approach is acceptable, what are the pros & cons?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

 

[darkaether]

all listings for 1 day are supposed to be combined into 1 thread. Some things sell easily without pics and some need good pics so id say whatever works

 

[rycen]

you can adjust pricing in your thread all you want. you just can't create a new thread with the same items for 14 days.

If you are listing new items, you can consolidate your old items into the new thread created for new items.

You can't consolidate the "old items" in another thread untill they have been listed for 14 days.